## 22.5 Installing MATLAB® 

***Contributed by Dan Pelleg. ***

This document describes the process of installing the Linux version of  **MATLAB® version 6.5**  onto a DragonFly system. It works quite well, with the exception of the  **Java Virtual Machine™**  (see [linuxemu-matlab.html#MATLAB-JRE Section 22.5.3]).

The Linux version of  **MATLAB**  can be ordered directly from The MathWorks at http://www.mathworks.com. Make sure you also get the license file or instructions how to create it. While you are there, let them know you would like a native DragonFly version of their software.

### 22.5.1 Installing MATLAB 

To install  **MATLAB** , do the following:

  1. Insert the installation CD and mount it. Become `root`, as recommended by the installation script. To start the installation script type:
      
      # /compat/linux/bin/sh /cdrom/install
  
   **Tip:** The installer is graphical. If you get errors about not being able to open a display, type `setenv HOME ~`***USER******, where `***USER***` is the user you did a [su(1)](http://leaf.dragonflybsd.org/cgi/web-man?command#su&section1) as.
  1. When asked for the  **MATLAB**  root directory, type: /compat/linux/usr/local/matlab.
   **Tip:** For easier typing on the rest of the installation process, type this at your shell prompt: `set MATLAB=/compat/linux/usr/local/matlab`
  1. Edit the license file as instructed when obtaining the  **MATLAB**  license.
   **Tip:** You can prepare this file in advance using your favorite editor, and copy it to `$MATLAB/license.dat` before the installer asks you to edit it.
  1. Complete the installation process.

At this point your  **MATLAB**  installation is complete. The following steps apply ***glue*** to connect it to your DragonFly system.

### 22.5.2 License Manager Startup 

  1. Create symlinks for the license manager scripts:
      
      # ln -s $MATLAB/etc/lmboot /usr/local/etc/lmboot_TMW
      # ln -s $MATLAB/etc/lmdown /usr/local/etc/lmdown_TMW
  
  1. Create a startup file at `/usr/local/etc/rc.d/flexlm.sh`. The example below is a modified version of the distributed `$MATLAB/etc/rc.lm.glnx86`. The changes are file locations, and startup of the license manager under Linux emulation.
      
      #!/bin/sh
      case "$1" in
        start)
              if [ -f /usr/local/etc/lmboot_TMW ]; then
                    /compat/linux/bin/sh /usr/local/etc/lmboot_TMW -u `***username***` && echo 'MATLAB_lmgrd'
              fi
              ;;
        stop)
      	if [ -f /usr/local/etc/lmdown_TMW ]; then
                  /compat/linux/bin/sh /usr/local/etc/lmdown_TMW  > /dev/null 2>&1
      	fi
              ;;
    
*)
      	echo "Usage: $0 {start|stop}"
      	exit 1
      	;;
      esac
      exit 0
  
   **Important:** The file must be made executable:
      
      # chmod +x /usr/local/etc/rc.d/flexlm.sh
  
  You must also replace `***username***` above with the name of a valid user on your system (and not `root`).
  1. Start the license manager with the command:
      
      # /usr/local/etc/rc.d/flexlm.sh start
  

### 22.5.3 Linking the Java™ Runtime Environment 

Change the  **Java™**  Runtime Environment (JRE) link to one working under DragonFly:

    
    # cd $MATLAB/sys/java/jre/glnx86/
    # unlink jre; ln -s ./jre1.1.8 ./jre


### 22.5.4 Creating a MATLAB Startup Script 

  1. Place the following startup script in `/usr/local/bin/matlab`:
      
      #!/bin/sh
      /compat/linux/bin/sh /compat/linux/usr/local/matlab/bin/matlab "$@"
  
  1. Then type the command `chmod +x /usr/local/bin/matlab`.

 **Tip:** Depending on your version of [`emulators/linux_base`](http://pkgsrc.se/emulators/linux_base), you may run into errors when running this script. To avoid that, edit the file `/compat/linux/usr/local/matlab/bin/matlab`, and change the line that says:

    
    if [ `expr "$lscmd" : '.*->.*'` -ne 0 ]; then


(in version 13.0.1 it is on line 410) to this line:

    
    if test -L $newbase; then


### 22.5.5 Creating a MATLAB Shutdown Script 

The following is needed to solve a problem with MATLAB not exiting correctly.

  1. Create a file `$MATLAB/toolbox/local/finish.m`, and in it put the single line:
      
      ! $MATLAB/bin/finish.sh
  
   **Note:** The `$MATLAB` is literal.
   **Tip:** In the same directory, you will find the files `finishsav.m` and `finishdlg.m`, which let you save your workspace before quitting. If you use either of them, insert the line above immediately after the `save` command.
  1. Create a file `$MATLAB/bin/finish.sh`, which will contain the following:
      
      #!/usr/compat/linux/bin/sh
      (sleep 5; killall -1 matlab_helper) &
      exit 0
  
  1. Make the file executable:
      
      # chmod +x $MATLAB/bin/finish.sh
  

### 22.5.6 Using MATLAB 

At this point you are ready to type `matlab` and start using it.



CategoryHandbook
CategoryHandbook-linuxcompatibility